Dr. Natalie Bocking, the region’s deputy medical officer of health, has said she will not be surprised if a confirmed case of measles soon emerges in Kawartha Lakes or Haliburton, Northumberland and Peterborough counties.
Speaking at a May 15 meeting of the Haliburton Kawartha Northumberland Peterborough district health unit (HKNP), Bocking said there has been a major re-emergence of measles in Ontario since a first case was confirmed last fall. In 1998 it was declared eliminated in Canada by the World Health Organization.
As of May 17, there has been 1,848 cases in Ontario in 2025, with 194 new cases reported between May 11 and 17. Nationwide, 2,515 people have been stricken by the virus, which presents with flu-like symptoms such as a fever, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis, followed by small white spots inside the cheeks and a reddish-brown rash that spreads from the face to the rest of the body.
Measles can also weaken the immune system and lead to secondary infections like pneumonia.
Of those afflicted, Bocking said about 94 per cent either hadn’t been vaccinated against measles or had an unknown immunization status. She noted most of the Ontario cases have been reported around London and Guelph. As of May 27, there hasn’t been any in the local region.
“We should not be surprised if we do see a case. We certainly have had individuals who have been exposed – if attending gatherings in other jurisdictions where a case has been identified. So, the health unit is continuing to plan and prepare for when a case may, or likely will, arrive,” Bocking said.
Last week, the health unit issued a media release reporting a possible exposure at Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay. Someone tested positive after reporting to the hospital May 19, though Ashley Beaulac, health unit spokesperson, said it has yet to result in further infections. Bocking said vaccination is the most effective way to prevent a measles outbreak.
“We have relatively good vaccination coverage, but there are still pockets of people, families who may not have had access, or chosen not to be vaccinated.”
People born before 1970 are considered immune, due to the high prevalence of measles then. Anyone who has previously contracted the virus is also considered immune.
To be covered, people usually require two shots, Bocking said – in Ontario, a first dose is recommended between 12 and 18 months, and the second dose between four and six years old. Bocking noted that, ideally, all children will have their second dose before starting school.
Measles is one of the afflictions included in the Immunization of School Pupils Act, meaning students require full vaccination unless they’ve applied for an exemption. With the health unit suspending its student inoculations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, she said there are more people at-risk of contracting the virus than at any other point over the past 30 years.
Coverage for seven-year-olds across HKNP is about 90 per cent, and about 95 per cent for 17-year-olds.
Bocking recommended anyone traveling internationally should check to make sure they’re fully vaccinated, as most Canadian cases are contracted overseas.
With summer right around the corner, she warned that places like Haliburton County will soon be abuzz with youth attending camp. Bocking said the health unit has been working with camp operators to ensure they have proper plans in place to manage a potential outbreak.
“Operations will be significantly impacted if people don’t have access to their records of immunization to be able to demonstrate immunity,” she said. For more information, visit hkpr.on.ca/ measles.